The Programme addresses the operational reality of achieving net zero in energy-intensive, safety-critical marine environments. By integrating engineering innovation, digitalisation, and systems thinking, NSC supports industry in reducing emissions, energy use, and environmental impact while maintaining operational performance, safety, and economic viability.
Research Focus Areas
Operational Decarbonisation Strategies
Identification and implementation of practical pathways to reduce operational emissions, including electrification, fuel switching, energy efficiency, and operational optimisation.
Energy Efficiency & Demand Reduction
Improving the efficiency of subsea, offshore and related marine systems through advanced design, control strategies, and performance monitoring to minimise energy consumption and losses.
Digital Optimisation & Intelligent Operations
Use of digital twins, AI, and data analytics to optimise operational decision-making, reduce downtime, and lower emissions across complex subsea, offshore and related marine sector asset portfolios.
Low-Carbon Subsea & Marine Operations
Development of technologies and methodologies to reduce the carbon footprint of subsea installation, inspection, maintenance, and decommissioning activities.
Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV)
Robust approaches to emissions measurement and reporting, enabling transparent tracking of progress toward net-zero targets and supporting regulatory and investor requirements.
Industry and Societal Impact
The Net Zero Operations Programme delivers tangible impact by:
- Enabling credible and achievable net-zero pathways for subsea, offshore and related marine sector operations
- Reducing operational costs through efficiency and optimisation
- Supporting regulatory compliance and emissions reporting
- Accelerating the transition of the offshore workforce to low-carbon operations
- Strengthening the social licence to operate for offshore energy activities
The Programme ensures that net zero ambitions translate into deployable operational change, delivering benefits for industry, the environment, and wider society.
Facilities and Collaboration
- Subsea and offshore systems laboratories
- Operational data analytics and digital twin platforms
- Energy systems and emissions assessment tools
- Access to offshore and near-shore test environments
- Enterprise and Innovation Hub digital simulator for operations, logistics and facility usage
- Offshore energy operators and supply-chain companies
- Technology developers and service providers
- Regulators, policymakers, and innovation agencies
- Academic partners across engineering, digital, and environmental disciplines
Find out more
Learn more about collaborative research opportunities at the National Subsea Centre: